inion that the incontinent are
the reverse of free? (5)

(5) Or, "incontinency is illiberal."

Euth. Upon my word, I much suspect so.

Soc. And does it appear to you that the incontinent man is merely
hindered from doing what is noblest, or that further he is impelled to
do what is most shameful?

Euth. I think he is as much driven to the one as he is hindered from the
other.

Soc. And what sort of lords and masters are those, think you, who at
once put a stop to what is best and enforce what is worst?

Euth. Goodness knows, they must be the very worst of masters.

Soc. And what sort of slavery do you take to be the worst?

I should say (he answered) slavery to the worst masters.

It would seem then (pursued Socrates) that the incontinent man is bound
over to the worst sort of slavery, would it not?

So it appears to be (the other answered).

Soc. And does it not appear to you that this same beldame incontinence
shuts out wisdom, which is the best of all things, (6) from mankind,
and plunges them into the opposite? Does it not appear to you that she
hinders men from attending to things which will be of use and benefit,
and from learning to understand them; that she does so by dragging them
away to things which are pleasant; and often though they are well aware
of the good and of the evil, she amazes and confounds (7) their wits and
makes them choose the worse in place of the better?

(6) "Wisdom, the greatest good which men can possess."

(7) Schneid. cf. Plat. "Protag." 355 A; and "Symp." iv. 23.

Yes, so it comes to pass (he answered).

Soc. And (8) soundness of soul, the spirit of temperate modesty? Who has
less claim to this than the incontinent man? The works of the temperate
spirit and the works of incontinency are, I take it, diametrically
opposed?

(8) "And if this be so concerning wisdom, {sophia}, what of
{sophrasune}, soundness of soul--sobriety?"

That too, I admit (he answered).

Soc. If this then be so concerning these virtues, (9) what with regard
to carefulness and devotion to all that ought to occupy us? Can anything
more seriously militate against these than this same incontinence?

(9) Or add, "If this be so concerning not wisdom only, but concerning
temperance and soundness of soul, what," etc.

Nothing that I can think of (he replied).

Soc. And can worse befall a man, think you? Can he be subjected to a
more baleful influence than that which induces him to cho